Flame Think, Inc.

This article is courtesy of Reverend Philip Byler, founder and director of CTTM Ministries International out of Epworth, GA.

Last month I wrote about fighting the dragon - the dreaded "black dog" of depression. I was greatly encouraged to receive numerous words of appreciation for that timely message. I sincerely pray the Lord will encourage you to take your stand against the enemy in those times you feel like you're a failure or defeated.

There's another challenge that many of us face during times of discouragement and disapointment. This is especially true during the trials we face in our struggling economy, elevated joblessness, or the frustration of being unable to move ahead in ministry. It's easy to fall into a of hoplessness - an emotional paralysis brought on by inaccurate perception.
 
People often look at life through imperfect lenses. What I mean by that is that we see things only the way we see them - not always as they really are. This is especially true in times of personal frustration, seeming defeat, and discouragement. Such emtions and circumstances are like eyeglasses that are ground to the wrong prescription. rather than provide claity of sight, these lenses distort a person's vision.

Sometimes, your circumstances trigger emotions and perceptions that grind improper lenses for your spiritual eyes. Instead of seeing things clearly, as God would have you see them, these "lenses" distort reality. Because of that, things in your life appear warped, blurred, or fuzzy.

Reality has not changed. only your perception of it. As a result, you grow uncertain. You don't know whether you are looking at a distortion, an illusion, or reality. You become paralyzed - frozen in the moment. You can't seem to find an answer or see a solution. You don't know what to do.

During such times, God's provision and protection seem far removed. Prayer seems futile. It feels like it"s being poured out into a bottomless pit: no answers; no solutions; no insights. So you sit there - frozen, immobile. You're afraid to move forward and too proud to back up. You're too confused to know what's next and too frustrated to care.
 
Perception, not reality, is what paralyzes you. You readily affirm the reality of God's grace and love. Deep down inside, you know that He who is in you is supposed to be greater than he who is in the world. Actually He is, but it doesn't feel like it. It's just - "yuk."

When things are going well, your comfort level is high. You "cozy down" and relax; no stress, no worries. It's easy to become complacent in times like these. Life grows to be so "daily" and you forget that your God is interested, involved, and invested in your life.

But let things go wrong, and your comfort dissapates. Discover a fly in the ointment of life, and immediately Satan attacks with that sense of failure and hoplessness.

Throughout our years of ministry, we've observed many people who have come to such an impasse. Having moved forward on a promise or an expectation of God at work, they've come face to face with the challenge of unanswered prayer. They've had to face those times when the problems seemed to outdistance the solutions.

Some have used their difficulties as stepping stones to victory. Others use them as excuses to quit. What made the difference? In a word, perception. Their reaction or response was determined by the way they looked at their problem. When they saw it through the distorted lenses of discouragement and defeat, there was a predictable response - they became paralyzed. That can happen to you.

On the other hand, when people look through the lenses of victory, they seek solutions and press forward. I am not suggesting that you will never face setabcks or times when life collapses around you. Everyone faces those.

Jesus, quite fairly draws this conclusion: "...He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45) You do not become immune to life's problems just because you embraced Christianity. It would be wonderful if that were the case.

Unfortunately, many people have adopted a fatalistic theology, one that accepts or implies that God and only God can change their circumstances. Such a perception is vastly removed from the reality that is presented in the Bible. Biblical reality distinctly shows that God is involved with people. But it also reveals the responsibility people have for their own lives and decisions. You have to engage and take action.

Prayer has little purpose unless you are willing to believe you can do something. Prayers ascend to heaven, God hears and God answers. However, those anwers almost always require action on your part. Intervention by God into the laws of nature are rare. Money does not fall from heaven like snow. True, God heals our sicknesses. He also expects us to take reasonably good care of our bodies.

Primarily, the answers to prayer come to our minds and hearts. They are insights we gain from the Word and from His presence. They come from the wise counsel of friends, mentors, and sages. They also are drawn from the guidance that comes from leaders and others who have influence in our lives. Such insight and wisdom is useless until it is put into practice. Your responsibility is to take action - not to sit and wait for a miraculous intervention.

Well does the wise counsel of Solomon ring true: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." (Eccleisastes 9:10)

So, if you are one of those who is paralyzed, you need to "change your lenses." It's your perception, not God's provision that is askew. The distortion is caused by how you see things, not by the way God is working. So...do something!

Start a work, take a job, build a dream, pursue your vision. You will not find victory sitting on your "blessed assurance." Dont't let your perception paralyze you another moment.